Archives by: Gary Hoag

“You can have it all, so don’t settle for less. That is what we are told. So we spend ourselves on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Realization of the American Dream–the Western dream–lies at our fingertips. But that is largely the problem–so much of what we want remains just out of our reach…

Our unhappiness does not spring from what we lack. It springs from our desire for what we lack. We crave love, beauty, and comfort. We crave independence and peaceful surroundings. We crave self-esteem. We crave the smooth rhythm of a balanced life–a little of this, a bit of that, but not too much of either…

We refuse to accept that our prosperity isn’t going to make us happy…But just as prosperity does not lock in happiness, awful circumstances don’t have to lock it out. Do we believe that? …In such circumstances we can’t imagine anything but unhappiness. What choice do we have? We do have a choice actually. We can be happy, not necessarily in the American way, but in the biblical way.

It is all a matter of what we live for. If we live for the good times, even those given to us by God, we will never find happiness because seasons of wilderness, waiting, and withholding are just as much, if not more, a part of life on this earth as season of ease and peace. Happiness, or contentment, comes from where we look and what we believe, not from what we have.”

Lydia Brownbeck in Contentment: A Godly Woman’s Adornment (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008) 9-10.

It’s election day. Candidates will promise you life, liberty, and happiness if you give them your vote. Instead, today (and every day), vote “YES” to biblical contentment. My parents taught me this, and I am privileged to spend five hours with them this afternoon. What a gift!

When we vote “NO” to the American dream we avoid discontentment, and we position ourselves to take hold of life in God. Again, make the choice! Vote “YES” to biblical contentment! And as the commercials say: I am Gary Hoag, and I approved this message.

“It may not seem that we have much, but when we give from what we have, something sacred happens. God uses the small things that we bring to Him and multiplies them into a miracle in someone else’s life…When you give what you have, even if it’s a minute, God can make a miracle. He can work with very little and turn it into something that no one could have imagined…

When you give away what you have, Jesus will give you more to give. Even if what you have isn’t enough to solve the whole problem, just do what you can in the moment–give it anyway. Trust that God will fill you up with enough to supply the need that’s right in front of you, and assume He will do it again for the next need as well. If you don’t give, you don’t get a chance to see God do a miracle.”

Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon in The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2012) 87-89.

My wife is reading this book and shared this quote with me because it sums what we have experienced. God has placed in our hearts the desire to get to know and love our neighbors here at Cattails. We are close with one of them, who moved in after we did, so out of 72 units that leaves 70 on our radar.

As I travel a lot, Jenni has learned the names of many of them, and teaching them to me. Sometimes she shares banana bread, but mostly it’s a smile and 2-5 minutes. Our relationships with our Eagle View friends are still intact because it’s only about 1.5 miles away so we feel like we are getting a double blessing.

So what’s does generosity have to do with our neighborhood?

Ever since we determined to either put to work what we have or give it away, we’ve seen God do miracles one after another. We have not ended up empty. Quite the opposite. We’ve never been more full, because as Pathak and Runyon put it, God supplies or does a miracle. Sometimes those miracles have touched our neighbors, and even drawn them to faith.

Check out this book. Jenni can’t put it down. It’s a primer for fulfilling the great commandment. Do what it says and you too may see miracles happen. That’s what we are learning.

“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” Luke 3:10-14

“Performance matters; forgiveness that comes with repentance must lead to action. John instructs the crowds to share clothing and food with those who lack these necessities (v. 11). Tax collectors and soldiers receive similar charges: they are to deal honestly and justly with others when they might be expected instead to exploit their positions (vv. 13, 14). A community of persons who have received John’s baptism will be marked by compassionate care for the needy and by justice. John may preach in the wilderness, but his message of forgiveness and repentance directs the people back to their homes and villages, restoring authentic community.”

John T. Carroll in Luke: A Commentary (The NT Library; Louisville: WJKP, 2012) 93.

The Greek verb translated “to do” or “to perform” appears seven times in this text. Repentance leads to restorative action. What we believe in Christ shapes our lives and leads to the restoration of community around us.

I am flying to Chicago today to celebrate God’s work through Alpha Chicago at a dinner and for meetings at their Bannockburn office tomorrow. I love how Alpha points people to repentance and their Relationship Central programs help people experience authentic Christian community.

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” John 3:11

“Be charitable. He that has two coats, and, consequently, one to spare, let him give, or lend at least, to him that has none, to keep him warm. Perhaps he saw among his hearers some that were overloaded with clothes, while others were ready to perish in rags, and he puts those who had superfluities upon contributing to the relief of those that had not necessaries.

The gospel requires mercy, and not sacrifice; and the design of it is to engage us to do all the good we can. Food and raiment are the two supports of life; he that hath meat to spare, let him give to him that is destitute of daily food, as well as he that hath clothes to spare: what we have we are but stewards of, and must use it, accordingly, as our Master directs.”

Matthew Henry (1662-1712) in Matthew Henry’s Complete Bible Commentary notes on Luke 3:11.

Our faith should show through care for people and their basic needs. My family is learning that sharing our superfluities not only meets the necessaries of others, it actually frees us from the burden of the space they take up in our townhouse. Perhaps let’s start by sharing an extra coat with the local shelter today. Winter is coming.

“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” Luke 3:10-14

“John’s message…began by demanding that people should share with one another. It was a social gospel which laid it down that God would never absolve anyone who is content to have too much while others have too little. It [also] ordered people, not to leave their jobs, but to work out their salvation by doing those jobs as they should be done. Let the tax-collector be a good tax-collector; let the soldier be a good soldier. People had a duty to serve God where God had set them…it was John’s conviction that there is nowhere we can serve God better than in our daily work.”

William Barclay in The Gospel of Luke (NDSB; Louisville: WJKP, 2001) 40-41.

The gospel calls us to care for others and to do our work with care. Today I have a phone conference with administrators of the Kern Foundation, which helps servants of Christ connect their faith, work, and economics through a series of initiatives for pastors. Their work echoes the aim of John’s exhortations: Let’s show God’s love today through our sharing with those in need and do our jobs in a manner that reflects John’s instructions and the very heart of Jesus.

“The greatest motivation for giving is love. God’s love for the world motivated Him to give Jesus, His only Son, to bring salvation and healing to the world. What motivates you to do what you do? Is it unconditional love? How much are you willing to do or give in the name of love? True love will motivate us to make sacrifices that might even cost us our lives.”

John Jusu, supervising editor of the Africa Study Bible (Carol Stream: Tyndale, 2012) application notes for John 3:16-21.

Recently, I received a trial copy of the Africa Study Bible (the gospel of John) in the mail. I read a few passages of Scripture and some of the application notes on a flight this week. This reading caught my attention.

Over the years I have learned that my motivation for giving reflects what’s in my heart. If I want love to motivate my generosity then I must contemplate God’s love for me. When I do, I have found that my giving begins to reflect God’s giving to the world.

So let’s all pause today and consider What motivates our generosity? Or perhaps we must ask ourselves what we want to motivate our generosity? Why? The condition of our hearts, that is, what motivates us, is the stuff God cares about.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

“Wisdom is an important biblical world. It means more than intellectual knowledge. Wisdom is less “knowing that” than “knowing how”…God gives wisdom “generously” [the Greek world, haplos, translated “generously,” is found only here in the NT] The word means he gives “straightforwardly,” that is, with no strings attached…God gives without hesitation and without regard to our worthiness. God gives “to all.” Unlike humans, God has no favorites. He also gives “without finding fault.” God is no reluctant, critical giver, but a generous Father. He is eager to give wisdom to those who ask…Since God is a generous Father, Christians must be willing to receive as children.”

Gary Holloway in James & Jude: College Press NIV Commentary (Joplin: College Press, 1996) 34-35.

Today my brother, David, and I are in Portland, Oregon, at Multnomah University, and we are asking God for wisdom to serve our friends, Craig Williford and Steve Cummings, with “know how” from our experience. It’s so cool that we get to do this together!

We are also celebrating Patricia “Patsy” Hoag’s birthday today. She (Mom) taught us where to find wisdom in abundance (God) and showed us how to share it with others (generously) to encourage them. When people express gratitude to her, she always humbly replies: “The good stuff you see in me is Jesus!”

Happy birthday, Mom! We love you.

“The more holdings we have on earth, the more likely we are to forget that we’re citizens of another world, not this one, and that our inheritance lies there, not here. Pilgrims are unattached. They are travelers, not settlers, who are acutely aware that excessive things will distract and burden them. Material things are valuable to pilgrims, but only as they facilitate their missions…

The slaves in early America understood the pilgrim mentality. Without possessions, without rights, they lived for another world, a better one. This central theme permeated their spirituals. They sang, “I am a poor wayfarin’ stranger, a travelin’ far from home,” and “Soon I will be done with the troubles of the world, I’m goin’ home to live with God.”

Randy Alcorn in Money, Possessions, and Eternity (Carol Stream: Tyndale, 2003) 165-166.

My daughter sang “poor wayfarin’ stranger” at a recital this past weekend. The lyrics reminded me of the pilgrim mentality. Let’s embrace this way of thinking. It shapes how we live, give, serve, and love. Let’s abandon the settler mentality and bless people on the journey of life as pilgrims and fellow travelers en route home to live with God.

He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:11-12

“When I see how the poor remain neglected and unrecognized all around us, I understand the sadness of Christ at not being accepted by His own. Today those who ignore or reject the poor, ignore or reject Christ.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in Love, a Fruit Always in Season (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1987) 176.

Think of someone who has experienced hard times and assist them today or join us in helping provide VBS for 2,000 Treasures in the Garbage Dump in Guatemala City. For $20 you can cover the expenses for one poor child.

I am excited about the “Who am I?” curriculum for this year as my wife wrote it. The children will learn from Psalm 139 that God made them special and created them for a purpose. Click here to give today and mark your calendar to pray for VBS over the next four weeks.

“My beloved…Everyone wants to cling to his ways, refusing to give up any of his attachments. As a result such people feel neither God’s presence nor their own enjoyment; but they give no thought to this and turn their attention again to their beloved possessions…

It is questionable indeed whether they will be saved at the Day of Judgement, for their spirit is habitually chained to created things and willfully entangled in them. You may be sure that such people are not aware of their state. Of course they find numerous excuses: “I must have such and such a thing,” they will say. “Surely, it will do me no harm.” And thus they offer these obstacles a seat within themselves…

These are strong and powerful obstacles, veritable fortresses erected against God’s work, and yet such people are not even aware of them. For in the measure in which man is possessed by created things, God and His graces must turn away.”

Johannes Tauler (1300-1361) in Johannes Tauler Sermons as part of The Classics of Western Spirituality excerpt from Sermon 33 (Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1985) 112.

As Christ followers we are called to let go, detach, from everything on the path to discipleship. Tauler echoes texts like Matthew 16:25 and Luke 9:23 in which those who don’t give up their attachment to things may miss the kingdom altogether. What do you think? I am learning that cultural habits are hard to recognize, but once identified, they are breakable with God’s help, and that obedience is not the pathway to poverty or destitution but rather the road to true enjoyment where we experience the matchless wonder of God’s grace.